There's no doubt that Summer 2019 will go down as a special one in the history of University of Massachusetts women's basketball. Sure, there were the usual practices, classes and study hall–all things that today are part of the routine before the academic year starts in September.
But from August 16-24, the Minutewomen hit pause in order to focus on a trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Portugal. Funded by generous UMass fans, alumni and friends of the program and with support from administration, the squad enjoyed nine days of cultural learning, sightseeing and various culinary options with three basketball games mixed in.
With the Minutewomen adopting the #FlagshipIsRising hashtag for the 2019-20 season, the trip colloquially took on the name #RisingInPortugal.
Day 1 • August 16
The Minutewomen gathered up their passports, packed bags and boarded the team bus for Boston's Logan Airport ahead of an overnight flight to Lisbon.
Following their last team practice on August 15, the squad was surprised with trip gift bags that included a commemorative tour t-shirt, hat and (of course) a Europe power plug adapter.
Day 2 • August 17
UMass arrived early on the morning of August 17 and spent their first moments on Portuguese soil sightseeing Lisbon and its Belém neighborhood.
The Minutewomen took in a number of landmarks, including the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, pictured.
Day 3 • August 18
It was an early start to the day for the Minutewomen as the group enjoyed a tuk tuk (pronounced "tuke tuke") tour of Lisbon.
A tuk tuk is a three-wheeled, motorized "golf cart" and is able to navigate many of the narrow, tight Lisbon streets that traditional cars and buses cannot.
After the tour, UMass enjoyed some downtime at Time Out Market before turning its focus to the first basketball action of the trip: a meeting with the Lisbon All-Stars and a 96-76 victory for the Maroon and White.
Day 4 • August 19
Day number four in Portugal kicked off with a train ride into the Docas area of Lisbon, where the Minutewomen boarded sailboats for a cruise of the city along the Tagus River out into the Atlantic Ocean.
The team stayed in Lisbon for dinner and enjoyed a Fado musical experience following their meal at Coimbra Taberna. Fado is a historical folk music genre, rooted in Portugal in the early 1800s.
It was a bright an early departure from Cascais for the Maroon and White as the team headed South to the Algarve region of Portugal. Once settled, the squad embarked on an afternoon kayaking excursion in Lagos. Take a peek back here with a GoPro recap of the day.
Day 8 • August 23
On their final day in Portugal, the Minutewomen trekked to Alcoutim to take part in the only cross-border zip line experience in the world.
The squad hopped on a boat across the Guadiana River into Spain, then was transported up to the takeoff platform where they zip lined over the river and back into Portugal.
Head coach Tory Verdi donned a GoPro for the ride, and trust us, you need to see it (click).
One last team dinner was held overlooking Vilamoura Marina, marking the last stop of an unforgettable week for the student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Just like that, the Minutewomen were back home at the John Francis Kennedy Champions Center. But the return was not before a week in which the Minutewomen were exposed to a brand new culture, history, music and food.
#RisingInPortugal will go down as truly a special point in UMass women's basketball history and serves as the perfect segue into the 2019-20 season.
2019-20 Massachusetts Women's Basketball
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